Tantric Alchemy of the Soul: A Philosophical Analysis and Synthesis of Jung and Kashmir Shaivism

Abstract

One of the most fascinating parts of intellectual globalization is the dialogue that occurs between two vastly removed systems of thought. One particular area of interdisciplinary dialogue that has emerged in the last century is between Western psychology and traditional Eastern religious and philosophical thought. Two particular disciplines that bear a striking resemblance ripe for comparative study are Jung’s psychology and Indian Tantrism. Some of this dialogue has already taken place, to a limited extent by Jung himself, but more so by modern pundits of Tantrism, particular Buddhist Tantrism. While some truly important work has been done in the comparative dialogue between Jung and Tantrism, it has been limited to a discussion of Buddhist Tantrism, which is perhaps the most well known manifestation of modern Tantrism.[1] I propose to engage Jungian thought with Hindu Tantra, particularly Tantrism as expounded in Kashmir Shaivism. The unique metaphysical, theistic, and psychotherapeutic techniques of Kashmir Shaivism provide a novel and insightful lens through which we can view Jungian thought concerning the metaphysics of the psyche, world, the divine, and methods of psychological growth. [1] See Radmila Moacanin, The Essence of Jung’s Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism. (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003). and Davis Judson, “Jung at the Ft. of Mt. Kailash: A Transpersonal Synthesis of Depth Psychology, Tibetan Tantra, and the Sacred Mythic Imagery of East and West,” in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 28, 2009, pp. 112-118.